Method and apparatus for coupling a conduit to a fitting

Abstract

A method for coupling a conduit to a fitting. The method includes providing a fitting having a body and a passageway extending through the fitting body, inserting at least a portion of the fitting body within at least a portion of a collar, and compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body such that the fitting body is not internally supported from within the passageway.

1. A fitting assembly comprising:
 a conduit comprising a body extending between a first end and a second end; 
 a fitting comprising a body extending between a first end and a second end, and comprising a passageway extending through said fitting body, said fitting first end comprising a nipple portion, said fitting further comprising a groove defined between a pair of annular portions extending radially outward from an outer surface of the body; 
 a collar comprising a body extending between a first end and a second end, said collar body comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, and a flange extending between said inner surface and said fitting body to define a flange gap that extends circumferentially within said collar body inner surface, said fitting body nipple portion is at least partially received within said conduit first end, said conduit first end at least partially received within said collar body, said collar body is compressed around said conduit first end and a portion of said fitting body such that a portion of said flange is compressed between said pair of body annular portions and extends circumferentially around said groove such that said flange gap is closed circumferentially about said groove as a radially outer surface of said flange is pressed towards said inner surface of said collar body, pressed against said pair of body annular portions, and contacts said inner surface of said collar body, and such that said conduit first end is compressed between said collar body and at least a portion of said fitting body nipple portion, said passageway configured to substantially resist radial deformation during compression of said collar body and said first conduit end such that said fitting body is not internally supported within said passageway. 
 
   
   
     2. A fitting assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said conduit comprises a passageway extending through said conduit body, said conduit passageway coupled in fluid communication with said fitting passageway. 
   
   
     3. A fitting assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said conduit first end compressed between said collar body and said fitting nipple portion to facilitate preventing fluid flow between a radially inner surface of said conduit end and a radially outer surface of said fitting nipple portion. 
   
   
     4. A fitting assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said passageway configured to resist radial deformation greater than at least one of 0.001, 0.002 inches, and 0.0005 inches during compression of said collar body and said first conduit end such that said fitting body is not internally supported within said passageway. 
   
   
     5. A fitting assembly in accordance  claim 1  wherein said fitting body comprises a sidewall defining said passageway, said sidewall comprises a thickness that is substantially constant along a length of said portion of said fitting body compressed by said collar.